Bhagavad-gita 2.4 – 2.9 Arjuna remains perplexed and surrenders to Lord Krishna for solution

Arjuna repeated his arguments for not fighting. Respectable superiors like Bhisma the grandfather and Dronacarya, the teacher are always worshipable. Even if they attack, they should not be counterattacked. It is general etiquette that superiors are not to be harshly treated even if they are sometimes harsh in behaviour.

Arjuna claimed that it would be better to live in this world by begging than to live at the cost of lives of great souls. Even though desiring worldly gain, they were superiors. If they were killed, the victory would be tainted with blood. He even did not care to live. Arjuna was pious in nature and did not yearn for unwnated victory.

Arjuna then accepted - kärpanya-dosopahata-svabhävah – “Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of miserly weakness. I am asking You to tell me for certain what is best for me.”

He understood that he had become “krpanah” or miserly. Such persons waste their time in being overly affectionate for family, society, country, etc., in the material conception of life. This is like “skin disease.” The krpanah thinks that he is able to protect his family members from death; or that his family or society can in turn save him from the verge of death. Such family attachment can be found even in animals.

Being intelligent, Arjuna could understand that his affection for family members and his wish to protect them from death were the causes of his perplexities. He understood that he could not discharge his duties on account of miserly weakness. He however realized that he could not solve his real problem on his own. No motivation like an unrivaled kingdom on earth or supremacy like that of the demigods in the heavenly planets could make him change his mind. He therefore needed a definite solution, a definite help to remove his lamentation.

sisyas te ‘ham sädhi mäm tväm prapannam - Arjuna therefore offers himself as a disciple to Lord Krishna, the supreme spiritual master. Before the war Arjuna knew Krishna as his friend, relative and age-mate. But now he wanted to stop friendly talks. Arjuna wanted to talk very seriously before the recognized spiritual master. He resolved - na yotsya iti govindam – “Govinda I shall not fight” and surrendered unto the Lord for true knowledge.